A process for producing a molded article includes the mixing step of mixing a plant material, water and a thermoplastic resin to obtain a molding material, and the injecting and molding step of injecting the molding material in a molding die and molding the molding material with the molding die to obtain the molded article. A lubricant is supplied to the surface of the image bearing member by at least one of the toner and the lubricant supplying device so that the surface free energy on average in an image formation area on the image bearing member is not greater than 32 mNm while the maximum difference of the surface free energy is not greater than 5 mNm. The peripheral portion of the mask define at least one cavity for providing fluid communication to the esophagus when the mask is inserted into the laryngo pharynx. A sensor generates a signal corresponding to a condition of the mixture. The light exit surface of the optical fiber exits at the forward end of the pencil casing. Another embodiment refers to a method of operating an integrated circuit.